Ellen Parry Lewis is a 2006 Williamstown High School graduate
MONROE TWP. -- South Jersey native Ellen Parry Lewis just had her fourth novel, "Risking a Life," published on May 30 by Metal Lunchbox Publishing of Maryland. The digital version of the book was released on May 22.
Risking a Life is an intriguing journey of a strong young woman on a quest to better her position in life with traumatic results.
Set in 1854, the story follows the life of an impoverished young maid, Louisa West, who is frustrated with her lowly station in life. On New Year's Eve, she learns of something dark and powerful that will change her life forever. There is a being in the woods -- one who offers wagers resulting in either unfathomable fortune or irreversible loss. If the person wins, they gain the promised reward, but if they lose, the cost is the life of another person.
Finding that she can no longer tolerate her circumstances, Louisa desperately seeks out the mysterious one. She gambles the life of another for a chance of wealth and romance. As her wager plays out, however, Louisa realizes that she has made a terrible mistake -- one that could lead to death and lost love.
Unlike Lewis's first three novels, "Risking a Life" takes place on the author's home turf of southern New Jersey and nearby Philadelphia.
"Being born and raised in this area has definitely impacted my work, and I loved writing about a place that was familiar to me. You can even see the influence of the Jersey Devil on the mysterious being in the woods."
Lewis lives in Williamstown with her husband, two young children, and two dachshunds. She also grew up in town, having graduated as the valedictorian of Williamstown High School in 2006. She then went to Rowan University where she graduated summa cum laude with a degree in journalism in 2009.
Visit her website, www.ellenparrylewis.com, or contact her via email at ellenplewis@gmail.com.
This item submitted by Stephen Jones.